[misha.spisok]

Hello, TSFers!

I'm experiencing a problem that consistently forces me to a hard shutdown. Occasionally--but without fail at some point--when I'm using Windows Explorer to navigate to a file on my external drive, I get a "permanent" (i.e., it'll go on indefinitely) hourglass once I click on the external drive in Windows Explorer. This also occurs when trying to open a file from within an application.

If I move the mouse pointer elsewhere, it goes back to being a mouse pointer. Within the Windows Explorer window it remains an hourglass.

If I shut down Windows Explorer by clicking the 'X', I lose my desktop (my background remains, but all icons and the taskbar, start button, clock, etc. are gone).

At this point, I can open up task manager (with CTRL-ALT-DEL) and a command line interface (from the task manager), but I cannot successfully shut down (or restart) Windows (either with the task manager option or from the command line) without resorting to a hard shutdown.

At best, It'll go through the motions of shutting down or restarting, up to the "Windows is shutting down..." point, but even that will go on indefinitely (I first let it go about 8 hours, overnight).

As for malware, I recently had an episode, but it seems to be clear:

I've tried the following:

1. Using system restore to go to a previous point. No luck.
2. Physically uninstalling and reinstalling the firewire card that I use for the external drive. Again, no dice.

Below is my system info via SiSoftware Sandra.

Many thanks for any help that you can provide.

--- Misha

SiSoftware Sandra

Computer
Manufacturer : Dell Computer Corporation
Model : Dimension 2400

Computer Chassis
Manufacturer : Dell Computer Corporation
Type : Space-saving
Can be locked : No
Boot-up State : Safe
Power State : Safe
Thermal State : Safe
Security State : External Interface Locked-out

Mainboard
Manufacturer : Dell
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Multi-Processing (MPS) Version : 1.40
Model : 0G1548
Version : A00

On-board Devices
Intel 845-G PCI Accelerated SVGA : Video Adapter (Enabled)
Intel Pro 1000 MT Network Connection : Ethernet Adapter (Enabled)
AC'97 Audio Controller : Sound Adapter (Enabled)

Computer Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : None
Number of Memory Slots : 2
Maximum Installable Memory : 1GB
Bank 1 - DIMM_1 : DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 256MB/64 @ 333MHz
Bank 2 - DIMM_2 : DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 1GB/64 @ 333MHz

Chipset
Model : Dell 82845G/GL/GV Brookdale Host-Hub Interface Bridge (A1)
OEM Device Name : Intel 82845G/GL/GV Brookdale Host-Hub Interface Bridge (A1)
Revision : A2
Bus : Intel AGTL+
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 133MHz (532MHz)
Maximum FSB Speed : 4x 133MHz (532MHz)
Width : 64-bit
I/O Queue Depth : 8 request(s)
Maximum Bus Bandwidth : 4.16GB/s
Maximum Power : 4.95W

Chipset 1 Hub Interface
Type : Hub-Interface
Version : 1.50
Number of Ports : 1
In/Out Width : 8-bit
Full Duplex : Yes
Multiplier : 2x

Logical/Chipset Memory Banks
Bank 0 : 256MB DDR 2.5-3-3-7 1T
Bank 2 : 512MB DDR 2.5-3-3-7 1T
Bank 3 : 512MB DDR 2.5-3-3-7 1T
Integrated in Chipset : Yes
Shared Memory : 1MB
Maximum Installable Memory : 2GB
Supported Memory Types : ECC SDRAM DDR
Channels : 1
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 222MHz (444MHz)
Maximum Memory Speed : 2x 166MHz (332MHz)
Multiplier : 5/3x
Width : 64-bit
Refresh Rate : 15.60µs
Power Save Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No
Maximum Memory Bus Bandwidth : 3.47GB/s

APIC 1
Version : 2.00
Multiplier : 1/2x
Maximum Interrupts : 24
IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes
Enhanced Support : Yes

Memory Module
Manufacturer : Hynix (Hyundai)
Model : HYMD232 646B8J-J
Serial Number : 1C1F70BC
Type : 256MB DDR
Technology : 8x(32Mx8)
Speed : PC1-2700U DDR1-332
Standard Timings : 2.5-3-3-7 2-10-0-0
Memory DC Line : 2.50V
Timing @ 167MHz : 2.5-3-3-7 2-10-0-0
Timing @ 133MHz : 2-2-2-6 2-8-0-0

Memory Module
Model : LIFETIMEMEMORYCOM
Type : 1GB DDR
Technology : 16x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC1-3200U DDR1-400
Standard Timings : 3-3-3-8 2-11-0-0
Version : 1.00
Memory DC Line : 2.50V
Timing @ 200MHz : 3-3-3-8 2-11-0-0
Timing @ 167MHz : 2.5-3-3-7 2-9-0-0

Sensors 1
Model : SMSC 47M10X/11X/13X LPC
Mainboard Specific Support : No

System Bus(es) on Hub 1
Version : 2.10
System Bus 0 : PCI
System Bus 1 : PCI

LPC Hub Controller 1
Model : Intel 82801DB/DBL (ICH4/ICH4-L) LPC Interface Bridge
Revision : A2
ACPI Power Management Enabled : Yes
Delayed Transaction Enabled : Yes

LPC Legacy Controller 1
Type : SMSC LPC47M10X/112/13X
Version : 0.00
Number of Enabled Devices : 5

Disk Controller
Model : Dell 82801DB/DBL (ICH4/ICH4-L) UltraATA/100 EIDE Controller
OEM Device Name : Intel 82801DB/DBL (ICH4/ICH4-L) UltraATA/100 EIDE Controller
Interface : ATA
Revision : A2
Maximum UDMA Mode : UltraDMA-5 / ATA100
Channels : 4
In Use Channels : 3
Port : UltraDMA-5 / ATA100
Port : UltraDMA-2 / ATA33
Port : UltraDMA-2 / ATA33

Audio Device
Model : Dell 82801DB/DBL AC'97 Audio Controller (ICH4/ICH4-L A1)
OEM Device Name : Intel 82801DB/DBL AC'97 Audio Controller (ICH4/ICH4-L A1)
Revision : A2
Type : AC '97
Version : 2.02

Audio Codec
Model : Analog Devices 0074h
Revision : A1
Version : 2.02

USB Controller 1
Model : Dell 82801DB/DBL USB UHCI Controller #1 (ICH4/ICH4-L A1)
OEM Device Name : Intel 82801DB/DBL USB UHCI Controller #1 (ICH4/ICH4-L A1)
Revision : A2
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full-Length (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 2
Model : Dell 82801DB/DBL USB UHCI Controller #2 (ICH4/ICH4-L A1)
OEM Device Name : Intel 82801DB/DBL USB UHCI Controller #2 (ICH4/ICH4-L A1)
Revision : A2
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full-Length (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 3
Model : Dell 82801DB/DBL USB UHCI Controller #3 (ICH4/ICH4-L A1)
OEM Device Name : Intel 82801DB/DBL USB UHCI Controller #3 (ICH4/ICH4-L A1)
Revision : A2
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full-Length (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 4
Model : Dell 82801DB/DBL USB 2.0 EHCI Controller (ICH4/ICH4-L A1)
OEM Device Name : Intel 82801DB/DBL USB 2.0 EHCI Controller (ICH4/ICH4-L A1)
Revision : A2
Version : 2.00
Specification : 1.00
Interface : EHCI
Channels : 6
Companion Controllers : 3
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full-Length (12Mbps) High (480Mbps)
Addressing Support : 64-bit
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 5
Model : VIA VIA VT6214L USB UHCI Controller
OEM Device Name : VIA VIA VT6214L USB UHCI Controller
Revision : G3
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full-Length (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 6
Model : VIA VIA VT6214L USB UHCI Controller
OEM Device Name : VIA VIA VT6214L USB UHCI Controller
Revision : G3
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full-Length (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 7
Model : VIA VT6202 USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller
OEM Device Name : VIA VIA VT6214L USB EHCI Controller
Revision : G6
Version : 2.00
Specification : 1.00
Interface : EHCI
Channels : 4
Companion Controllers : 2
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full-Length (12Mbps) High (480Mbps)
Addressing Support : 32-bit
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

FireWire/1394 Controller 1
Model : VIA VT6306 VIA Fire II IEEE-1394 OHCI Link Layer Controller
OEM Device Name : VIA VT6306 VIA Fire II IEEE-1394 OHCI Link Layer Controller
Revision : E7
Version : 1.10
Interface : OHCI
Enhanced Support : No
Channels : 64
Speed : 400MHz

SMBus/i2c Controller 1
Model : Intel 801xx/63xx SMBus
Version : 0.01
Specification : 1.00
Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : No
Slave Device Enabled : No
PEC Support : No
Speed : 100kHz

Expansion Slot(s)
PCI1 (1h) : PCI 32-bit +5V +3.3V PME Full-Length Available

Port Connector(s)
PARALLEL : Parallel Port PS/2 / DB-25 pin female
SERIAL1 : Serial Port 16550A / DB-9 pin male
KYBD : Keyboard / PS/2
MOUSE : Mouse / PS/2
USB1 : USB / USB
USB2 : USB / USB
USB3 : USB / USB
USB4 : USB / USB
USB5 : USB / USB
USB6 : USB / USB
ENET : Network / RJ-45
MIC : Audio / Mini-jack
LINE-OUT : Audio / Mini-jack
LINE-OUT : Audio / Mini-jack
LINE-OUT : Audio / Mini-jack
LINE-IN : Audio / Mini-jack
HP-OUT : Audio / Mini-jack
MONITOR : Video / DB-15 pin female

Performance Enhancing Tips
Notice 224 : SMBIOS/DMI information may be inaccurate.
Warning 2507 : Mainboard has too few memory slots. Upgrading the memory may be difficult or expensive.
Warning 2508 : All memory slots are full. Upgrading the memory may be difficult or expensive.
Tip 2546 : Large memory modules should be ECC/Parity.
Warning 2523 : Memory bus speed exceeds memory rated speed. Reduce memory bus speed.
Warning 2542 : Memory bus speed exceeds Chipset rated speed. Reduce FSB/memory multiplier.
Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.

 

[spunk.funk]

If it is just a problem with the FireWire drive, then unplug it from the computer end and see if the computer runs better. If so, take the FireWire drive out of it's enclosure and put it onto a USB Adapter or into a USB enclosure.

 

[CCT]

"If I shut down Windows Explorer by clicking the 'X', I lose my desktop (my background remains, but all icons and the taskbar, start button, clock, etc. are gone)."

This is indicative of virus activity.

I would recommend you follow this sites pre-posting process outlined here:

NEW INSTRUCTIONS - Read This Before Posting For Malware Removal Help - Tech Support Forum

After running through all the steps, please post the requested logs in the Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help forum, not here.->

Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help - Tech Support Forum

If you have trouble with one of the steps, simply move on to the next one, and make note of it in your reply.

Please note that the Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help forum is extremely busy, and it may take a while to receive a reply.

 

[misha.spisok]

Hello, spunk.funk and CCT,

Thank you for your replies.

I tried something similar to spunk.funk's advice, but simpler. I connected my external drive via usb (on the same firewire card, if that matters). This works fine, with the following caveat (the reason I installed a firewire card, which I failed to mention):

When I connect my wife's latest generation iPod Shuffle while the external drive is connected with a usb cable (on any card), I get "delayed write failure" messages and cannot access the external drive. I was told that a firewire connection would solve this.

It turns out that the firewire does solve this problem...but it creates another problem. A firewire connection works until some random, but inevitable, occasion when I get the problem of the infinite hourglass and, subsequently, the disappearing desktop.

This problem arises (as best as I can tell) only when trying to access the external drive (whether with Windows Explorer or an application such as iTunes, Word, or Adobe). Note, however, that it doesn't always occur when trying to access the external drive.

Best,

--- Misha

 

[CCT]

You may well be infecting ALL devices you attach.

(I don't like preaching doom and gloom, it just happens)

 

[spunk.funk]

I connected my external drive via usb (on the same firewire card, if that matters). This works fine

Does the FireWire card have both a Firewire port and a USB port on it? Does your external drive have both a Firewire port and a USB? Usually a card would be either Firewire only or USB, and most external drives are just USB or Firewire, not usually both?

 

[misha.spisok]

Thanks, again, for the replies.

CCT: The external drive was connected before, during, and after the previously mentioned infection that was cleaned (to the best of my ability and with the advice I received on TSF). This is not to deny the possibility that it was not previously clean and has now become infected. Rather, I am just clarifying that the primary machine wasn't cleaned independently of the external drive.

spunk.funk: The firewire card has both firewire (x2) and usb (x4) ports. The usb ports on the firewire card seem to work just as well as the other usb ports (with the caveat that plugging in the new iPod Shuffle causes "delayed write failure" errors and makes it impossible to access the external drive).

Likewise, the external drive has one usb port and two firewire ports.

Thanks again for any advice you can offer.

Best,

--- Misha

 

[spunk.funk]

It sounds like the Firewire card is not providing enough power. Can you plug your drive into the Onboard USB ports on the Back of the computer and not the front (again stronger power using back USB ports) Does this work for you?

 

[CCT]

"If I shut down Windows Explorer by clicking the 'X', I lose my desktop (my background remains, but all icons and the taskbar, start button, clock, etc. are gone)."

This is indicative of virus activity.

Utterly wrong - sorry about the misinformation.

 

[misha.spisok]

Thanks, again, for the replies.

spunk.funk: I already had it plugged into a rear usb, so I tried something else. I connected the external drive with both the usb and the firewire cable (on the same card, if it matters). This seems to have worked.

CCT: No sweat. I can only imagine that you've seen plenty of people in denial.

Best,

Misha